I have a job that is forever short staffed and scrambling to 'plug holes' in the nursing schedule. On a daily basis, either through a phone call, text, or email, someone is appealing for a volunteer to come in early (or on a day off), or to stay over. Yes, I understand that nursing is 24/7, 365, and that 'things happen'-i.e. unforseen circumstances. However, though I consider myself a dedicated employee, I am more into my work/life balance than making extra $$. Frankly, I would like to figure out a way to work less not more. I feel like by not agreeing to these requests, it casts us in the light of not being team players or willing to 'help out' and I honestly, I am growing a little weary of it all! Any suggestions appreciated
I have gotten very proficient at simply hitting "decline" on my phone when the all call number pops up on my phone. Which it does. About twice a day. There is no amount of incentive that makes it worth it for me, honestly. And I get the guilt - I used to feel that guilt - I am leaving my teammates in a bind, it's going to be a bad day for my friends, its not going to be a safe place to work..... I could go on. But honestly, until management really sees that WE NEED HELP, nothing is ever going to get done.
That being said, when I am working on the short days - I would appreciate it if one of ya'll could pick up for incentive. Thanks. ?
I have gotten very proficient at simply hitting "decline" on my phone when the all call number pops up on my phone. Which it does. About twice a day. There is no amount of incentive that makes it worth it for me, honestly. And I get the guilt - I used to feel that guilt - I am leaving my teammates in a bind, it's going to be a bad day for my friends, its not going to be a safe place to work..... I could go on. But honestly, until management really sees that WE NEED HELP, nothing is ever going to get done.
That being said, when I am working on the short days - I would appreciate it if one of ya'll could pick up for incentive. Thanks. ?
I get the coworkers needing help bit, but when do you last recall your nurse manager pitching in to cover a graveyard shift. Heck, I can't barely contact mine after hours, let alone to come in to work over. SMH
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Got to love the guilt card. It's your manager's job to keep the unit appropriately staffed. Not yours. It's your job to show up for your scheduled shift and take care of the patients. Your manager has no intention of ever doing your job. Isn't it a bit nervy to expect you to do hers?
"Can you stay and work a few extra hours?" "Sure. Can you pop out and pick up these groceries for me? And when you drop them off, can you just give my floors a quick scrub?"
Got to love the guilt card. It's your manager's job to keep the unit appropriately staffed. Not yours. It's your job to show up for your scheduled shift and take care of the patients. Your manager has no intention of ever doing your job. Isn't it a bit nervy to expect you to do hers?
"Can you stay and work a few extra hours?" "Sure. Can you pop out and pick up these groceries for me? And when you drop them off, can you just give my floors a quick scrub?"
At the very least, get me a Starbucks on your way to my house to let my dog out to pee. C'mon. Be a team player. /sarc
This is why I could never be a nurse manager. I don't have it in me to know people are dead on their feet, ask them for even more...and then trot out the door to my own soft bed. There is something wrong with someone like this. And yeah...I mean that sincerely and not snarkily. You have to really have some serious FOO issues that you'd like this or you would do this for money (a good number of managers have financial incentives to short staff---). Padding your pockets, exploiting others for your own gain, watching suffering without pitching in to help? That's a hallmark of a sociopath.
But having washed them down with Jim Beam, I just don't think it's safe.
Co worker of mine had a couple glasses of wine on her day off. Supervisor calls asking her if she can come in. She tells her, “Sorry, but it’s my day off and I’ve already had a couple of drinks since I wasn’t planning on coming in to work”. The nurse manager then says, “How about in a couple hours so it will have time to wear off”. That one actually surprised me.
I had one nurse manager offer to babysit my three year old in her office if I’d come in to work. I said no at the time but looking back, I don’t know if she could of handled my hyperactive toddler for 12 hours. Oh man, that would have been priceless to see her (or her office) by the end of the shift!
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
57 minutes ago, NurseSpeedy said:
I had one nurse manager offer to babysit my three year old in her office if I’d come in to work. I said no at the time but looking back, I don’t know if she could of handled my hyperactive toddler for 12 hours. Oh man, that would have been priceless to see her (or her office) by the end of the shift!
My first thought: "Oh, I wish you'd taken her up on it!" My second thought: She'd have farmed your child out to her teenage daughter and swanned off. You'd either have no idea what was happening with your child, or you'd be getting calls every five minutes to avert some crisis. You were smart to say no.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
2 hours ago, HomeBound said:
At the very least, get me a Starbucks on your way to my house to let my dog out to pee. C'mon. Be a team player. /sarc
This is why I could never be a nurse manager. I don't have it in me to know people are dead on their feet, ask them for even more...and then trot out the door to my own soft bed. There is something wrong with someone like this. And yeah...I mean that sincerely and not snarkily. You have to really have some serious FOO issues that you'd like this or you would do this for money (a good number of managers have financial incentives to short staff---). Padding your pockets, exploiting others for your own gain, watching suffering without pitching in to help? That's a hallmark of a sociopath.
Exactly. There is something sociopathic in constantly demanding more of people, pocketing the incentive and never having a hair out of place.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Speaking as a manager...
I completely understand and respect those staff nurses who have their line in the sand with regards to how much "extra" they are willing to give to their department (whether that's volunteering on committees, or coming in extra, or whatever), just as I respect and appreciate those nurses who ARE willing to do extra for the department. Everyone has their own lives and circumstances.
I hate being in a position that I'm always having to beg people to pick up extra shifts. I'm not going to look down on you if you're not willing to work more than your contracted 0.9 FTE or whatever.
Now, nurses who call out sick all the time, that's an entirely different story. I have no patience for them. They *** up the schedule, the department, and the morale of the other nurses.
humerusRN, BSN
100 Posts
I have gotten very proficient at simply hitting "decline" on my phone when the all call number pops up on my phone. Which it does. About twice a day. There is no amount of incentive that makes it worth it for me, honestly. And I get the guilt - I used to feel that guilt - I am leaving my teammates in a bind, it's going to be a bad day for my friends, its not going to be a safe place to work..... I could go on. But honestly, until management really sees that WE NEED HELP, nothing is ever going to get done.
That being said, when I am working on the short days - I would appreciate it if one of ya'll could pick up for incentive. Thanks. ?